Bruce

When eating out: do you leave the money for the bill in the holder and leave, or hand the money to the waiter?

Just curious. Many times I am afraid that if I leave the money for the bill and tip on the table, someone will steal it and we will be blamed for leaving without paying.

Though sometimes I can not find the waiter and don't want to have to wait for him or her. What is the solution?

Waiter

I work as a waiter at a mid priced sit down place. Most people just hide the money in the bill plastic holder, but 10% leave no tip and 5% leave less than the bill. By the time I check it out, the customer has driven away.

If I am shorted I have to pick up the difference.

gettheleadout

Waite: Well, then I guess you should move it a little faster and be at the table when your customer is ready to leave. I can't tell you how many times a good meal with good service is ruined at the end by a waiter who disappears after dropping the check on the table. Forget about another cup of coffee either once the bill is handed over. Maybe that is why the tip is gone, it is re-pocketed by the customer. If I had a choice between stiffing the waiter or waiting yet another 20 minutes for change so I COULD leave a tip, I'd stiff the waiter and make it on time to the movie. Sorry.

getMOREleadout

I'm a waiter at a really busy diner in NYC. I agree with "gettheleadout" wholeheartedly.

"Waiter:" You're not gettin the tips because you're leaving your customers hanging at the end of the meal. Don't do that. Hustle those cute buns back over and close the deal.

Also, a lot of people don't like leaving a signed credit card receipt stranded either. They need to hand it to you so that you can put it away. After all, there's a full signature, credit card #, and expiration date on that puppy.

Hustle those buns!!!

That's one thing a lot of waiters don't do: they don't close the deal.

dineandduck

I usually leave a $20 haging out of the folder and then leave.
Not only does this screw the waiter, but my adte as well

FrugalFred

I prefer to wait until the server has the money, or charge slip in his hands. I also do a slow burn when the check is dropped on the table then the server disappears ... especially if I've not been asked if there's anything else we want. I often will tell the manager if that happens.

I prefer that the server take time to LOOK at the table when he takes the money. If it appears I've already left an appropriate tip on the table, then don't bring back a wad of singles. Similarly, don't bring me a twenty and a single on $29 bill/$50 tendered if there is no tip; you won't be tipped $20 and I'd hate to be in a hurry and only leave the single. Why not just ask the guest, "Will you need your change any special way?"

More peeve:"Will you be needing any change?"

x

just the other night we were in a restaurant, food was alright, service was alright and she dropped of the bill and disappeared. we only had a $50 so we needed change (bill was $28). we waited about 10 minutes and when we finally had to go to the till, get served by someone else to get our change, our original waitress lost about 10% of her tip. (we saw her in the kitchen yacking with other staff.) there is nothing more agrivating then finishing a meal, you're ready to go but detained because you can't get your bill settled. hint, hint "waiter"

Susan

I'm more uncomfortable about leaving the signed credit card slip on the table, since it has my name and credit card number on it. I will always find the waiter and hand it to him/her rather than just leaving it on the table.

We often dine out with our kids and when it's time to go, it's time to go! I don't like having to wait and wait and wait for the check or for the credit card slip to sign. I appreciate waiters who understand this and "get the lead out." ;-)

Frank

On the table

tipper

I give the money to the waiter, in the folder, and state NO CHANGE. If the waiter is unavailable, I carry the money to the hostess. I tip 20% if: my tea glass is never empty, dirty dishes are removed promptly, the server doesn't act like I'm inconveniencing him/her by being waited on. If service is truly awful, I leave 2 pennies on the table with a note take says "Your serve was a great as this tip." If the waiter chooses to make their living this way, they should give it their all.

Duger

I pay by CC and get FF miles.